Improvement in clasps for stocking-supporters



Patented May 25,1875.

flflowaz'fl E. L. HOWARD.

Clasp for,Stocking-Supporters.

'W|TNESSES.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

ELIJAH L. HOWARD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN A.

S. GRAVES, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FCR STOCKING-SUPPORTERS.

Speciication forming part of Letters Patent No. 163,778, dated May 25, 1875; application filed February 23, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIJAH L. HOWARD, of Boston, Suffolk. county, Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Olasps for Stocking-Supporters, ot which the following is a specification:

The drawings accompanying this specification represent, in Figure l, a perspective view, and in Fig. 2 a vertical section, of my invention.

In these drawings, A B represent two thin sheet-metal plates, the inner one, A, of which has an eye, a, at its upper end to receive the strap O of the stocking supporter, and is formed with central side ears b b, to receive the trunnions of the outer plate B, which thus becomes hinged to the outer face of the inner plate. The lower end ofthe inner plate A terminates in an outwardly-turned lip, c, while the lower end of the outer plate B te 'minates also in a lip, d, of about equal length, which extends inward, the purpose of these lips being to force the material of the stocking into several sharp angles, and prevent the clasp from slipping upon it. For still greater security in this respect, I propose to create in the outer clamp-plate B a second lip, c, which also extends inward toward the plate A, the length of this lip e being about equal to that of thevlip c, in order that the two shall` exert an equal pressure on the strap.

The top of the stockin g is introduced between the lower ends of the plates A and B,

as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, these plates, as will be understood, serving to seize and retain a iirm hold upon the fabric.

In order to force the two plates powerfully together, and compel them to gripe the stocking without liability of yielding or slipping, I employ a bent lever, E, which is hinged at its corner to the upper end of the outer plate B, the upper and shorter arm j' of this lever serving as a cam to abut against the inner plate A, while its outer and longer arm g constitutes a handle or prong, by which the arm f is operated.

It will be readily seen that when the handle g is lowered against the outer faces of the plate B the arm g stands practically at right angles to the base-plate A, and therefore provides a solid unyielding abutment to prevent the relaxing or yielding of the hold of the clasp upon the stocking.

When the clasp is to be removed from the stocking, the handle gis raised, which permits the two lower eids of the two plates to recede from one another.

I would call especial attention to the fact that the handle g, in addition to the function already stated, performs an important office, namely, that of bearing rmly upon the outer plate B at some point intermediate between its lower-end and its trunnions, and by this means greatly stii'ens and strengthens such plate, which otherwise would have a tendency to yield under the pressure exerted upon it by the arm g.

I claiml. The improved clasp consisting ofthe two plates A and B, pivoted together, as described, and provided with the bent lever E, by which they are pressed powerfully and securely together, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

2. The two plates A and B, pivoted together, as explained, formed with the lips or ribs c d e, and combined with a suitable clamping device, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

3. In combination with the two plates A B, the bent lever E, so constructed and arranged that its longer arm serves both as a handle to operate the cam f and to stiften or truss the plate B, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

ELIJAH L. HOWARD.

Vitnesses F. CURTIS, W. E. BOARDMAN. 

